Quick Hits
 Sophomore Jesse Delgado will return as the starter at 125 after having a standout 2011-12 season. The Gilroy, Calif., native earned his first career All-America honor by placing seventh at the 2012 NCAA Championships and finished third at the Big Ten Championships. Delgado also went 6-2 during the Big Ten dual season and was the only wrestler to defeat No. 1 Matt McDonough of Iowa. Delgado also recorded eight tech falls last season and led the team in the category.

 Redshirt-senior Jordan Blanton will start at 174 for the fourth-straight year and opens the season ranked No. 2 by W.I.N Magazine. Blanton fell just short of his first career NCAA title at the 2012 NCAA Championships, finishing fourth for his second career All-America honor. Blanton finished fifth at the Big Ten Championships and finished the season 30-9, including nine wins over ranked opponents.

 Redshirt-senior B.J. Futrell went 5-0 last weekend to win the 141 title at the Harold Nichols Cyclone Open. Futrell's two pins last weekend moves him into second in school history on the career pins list with 31, tying Keith Healy (1985-1988). He's ranked No. 4 by W.I.N. Magazine. Futrell finished sixth at the NCAA Championships and earned his second career All-America honor. Futrell placed third at the Big Ten Championships and finished the season with a 30-9 record.

RECORDS AGAINST THE FIELD
The Illini hold an 1-0 record against both Princeton and Maryland, with the only meetings coming in 2000 and 2006, respectively. This will be the first time competing against the Binghampton Bearcats.

UNDERCLASSMEN SUCCEED IN EARLY OPENS
Seven wrestlers placed in their respective tournaments over the weekend as Caleb Ervin highlighted the Ashland Harris Open by winning the 149 title while five others placed at the Joe Parisi Open. Ervin went 5-0 at the Harris Open, only giving up five points in five of his bouts and won by technical fall, two majors and a decision. Teammate John Fahy advanced to finals against Ervin, but forfeited. At the Joe Parisi Open, Steven Rodrigues (141), Zac Brunson (157) and Jackson Morse (165) placed third in their respective weight classes, while Zane Richards took fourth at 133 and Christopher Lopez finished the tournament fifth (HWT).

FUTRELL WINS TITLE AT HAROLD CYCLONE OPEN
Redshirt-senior B.J. Futrell won his first 141 title of his career at the Harold NIchols Cyclone Open. Twelve grapplers placed at the tournament, including 10 Illini finishing in the top-five in each of their weight classes.